Firstly, sorry for not up-dating over the weekend. I tried to, but the computers were glacial in their speed for some reason, so I gave up. Anyway all's well now and there is a lot of news.
Where do I start? Well, the computers might have been slow over the weekend but Mallachie certainly wasn't. She's been tanking along, making great prgress. She might have been the last to leave home, and even then reluctantly, but she has made up for lost time. In short, she has now over taken her somewhat sedentary elder sister, Rothes, and Mallachie is now in Spain!!
On Friday 4th at 7am she was east of Le Havre, Normandy. She set off south and passed right by La Grande Mare Reserve Nationale Cynegetique a huge lake/wetland complex which would have been an ideal place to bide a while, but no, she pressed on determinedly. She passed another wetland area at Cloyes at 1pm, crossing the River Loire at 3pm. Her route took her passed yet more lakes near Chemery and yet she seemed not to stop. However, as the satellite data gives hourly readings, whilst she appears to be on the move constantly, she could easily have stopped at any of these places to re-fuel on fish. Mallachie then appears to have stopped to roost for the night at 9pm at Foret de Gatine - a wood with a lake in the middle of it - a perfect spot to rest, I'd say.
Mallachie's no slouch, by 5am on Saturday morning 5th September, she was on the move again, near Valencay, then at 10am she was at La Maloterie and an hour later she was near a place called Migre, which might be better named Lakes-ville. Lakes everywhere in this area, so ample fishing opportunities for Mallachie to fill her boots. At noon on Saturday she was east of La Trimouille, not far from Limoges. In contrast to Mallachie's progress, Rothes has remained in La Gironde River, north of Bordeaux. Limoges is not far off being at the same latitude as Bordeaux so Mallachie has caught up with her languishing sister.
Mallachie continued to move on; south of Montbron, then north of Bonnes, and then Chemin de Tire Merle, east of Bordeaux - quite close to her sister Rothes, but no comfy sturgeon farm for her, she continued south to Parc Naturel Regional des Landes where she did finally give herself a break and rest a while. But was resting a good idea, I'm wondering? She was doing so well. Because at 10am yesterday Mallachie went west, (oh no!), out towards the washing machine that is the Bay of Biscay, the downfall of many a migrating bird. As I tapped in the next co-ordinates, my hands had become noticebale shaky & clammy, but to my huge relief she had done a u-turn and was back over dry land by 11am. At 12 noon Mallachie was south of Port d' Albert then at 1pm, worryingly she went back towards the Bay of Biscay again!!! What was going on? Is there some sort of mysterious Bermuda Triangle-type pull out there? Anyway by 2pm she was back over land again at Ciboure, where she was photographed. Our thanks to Didier Domec for these fantastic pictures. It's her right enough. Nice to see her.
Mallachie then moved further south away from the coast and further in land, crossing into Spain, passing west of Igantzi at 3pm, near Ezkurra at 4pm and our last fix for her to-date is west of Pamplona at 5pm. Phew! A few slight scares in that lot, but safely overland now with the Bay of Biscay behind her.
Here on site, we haven't seen an osprey for almost three days, White TF having now gone ( I've said that before). The last of our trusty volunteers completed the last shift of the season on Friday night and they departed on Saturday. Our sincere thanks to them and indeed all our volunteers who have helped us here at Loch Garten this season, some bloggers amongst them.
It was a shame though that we didn't have volunteers for just a couple of days more, because today we had a call from Roy Dennis to say that a bird he satellite tagged elsewhere here in Strathspey, made a day trip all the way across to Aberdeenshire yesterday, and then by evening it had returned to within 700m of the Loch Garten nest! Roy was asking whether the evening shift of volunteers had seen it, but there was no-one there. We have been on site all morning today, taking down cameras, removing some of the nest material (including yet another piece of fishing line, complete with hook) but we saw no sign of any ospreys.
We closed yesterday so the season is now done and dusted. Just some final packing up bits & pieces to do. The nest camera has been removed and the live-streaming imaging has now switched to the red squirrel feeder-cam for the winter.
Too exciting!! Brilliant. Thanks Richard for everything.
Thanks very much for that comprehensive blog Richard. It must have been a worrying time when she went out into the Bay of Biscay but thank goodness she is back over land and in Spain now. Also would like to thank yourself,staff and all the volunteers for what has been an enthralling adventure which we have all taken part in. Some of us have not been able to visit LG this year but nevertheless have been with you all in spirit every step of the way.
No apologies needed from you. Thanks as always. Fantastic news, fingers crossed for it to continue.
Quite unbelievable, and to think I accused of her plodding.
Wonderful update to know that Mallachie is doing so well, I must admit I did feel physically sick when you said that she had gone out into the Bay of Biscay........heart stopping stuff thank goodness she had the sense to turn and come back again unlike her brother!! The photographs are fantastic and it is wonderful to have that link to a migrating bird!! It must have been very emotional for you all at the weekend packing verything up and tidying up loose ends. Imagine another piece of fishing line and a HOOK....how lucky were our birds? Thank you once again Richard for the update and all you and the teams work. Looking forward to more encouraging reports on our birds!!
Thank you, Richard. A few heart-stopping moments there, but Mallachie is going like a train! I hope she remembers to stop when she gets to Africa LOL.
Thanks Richard, that's fantastic news about Mallachie, I knew she had it in her. Photos as well - brilliant!
I do believe that our Mallachie has shed a few pounds - she's certainly lost her little tummy roll! (hardly surprising though!).
Just like to echo Alan's comments regarding those of us who live too far south to visit LG. Good work!!
Thank you Richard for a very detailed blog about the traverse of malachie who has kept us all guessing to what she would do next, the big waves in The Bay of Biscay probably put her off going any further west. She is probably on her way to see Roy's osprey that is already in Spain and maybe keep her company for the rest of the winter.
Reason to celebrate ! Absolutely great photos Didier!
Thankd, Richard, wonderful news about Mallachie ... what a star! The same could be said for everyone at LG throughout the season ... stars one and all :)) I too would echo Alan's comments about not being able to visit ... having the camera and all the reports is the next best thing ... THANK YOU.
Oh goodness me I am all a quiver , tears even in my eyes , Mallachie bless her so pleased she finally got it together - poor Richard I can just imagine how you feel , you must be very nervous when you are putting in the data , still all is well and thank you so much for the detailed blog , another piece of fishing line oh no but still they survived it . Isnt it wonderful to have pictures of her as well you must be thrilled with that so thank you Didier we are all so grateful to you and you are so lucky to have seen her . Happy days !!!
Thank you Richard. What wonderful news that Mallachie was spotted in France, and photos too! Even better. Well done Didier - thank you so much. So glad she thought better of the Bay of Biscay though.
Thank you so much for the update Richard. Mallachie has certainly given you some cause for concern on her travels. Wonderful to see the fantastic photographs of her and many thanks to the person who sent them to you. She looks a bit wet/windswept on the first photograph bit maybe she had been fishing! I assume no news from Dr Jones recently about any sightings of Rothes? Pru
Such encouraging news and what luck to have a photo of Mallachie too. I can hardly wait for the next instalment! Thanks Richard.
Thanks Richard. It is very kind of you to take the time to update us on Mallachie's movements. I got emotional when I saw her pictures...I translated the exciting news on the Italian bird forum, and posted the pictures. I wish somebody could take a picture of our "wee Garten" I wish you a restful winter and hope the months will pass quickly so we can be all here again to watch our beautiful Ospreys. CIAO :-)
Thank you Richard for the update, I have tears in my eyes reading it, we are nervous about the trip so you must be passed yourself when you see the data and where Mallachie was heading, I am so glad the Bay of Biscay is out of the way! What fantastic photos of her, even if she is a bit windswept, she looks so proud! Hope you are all packed up now for the winter, look forward to getting weekly blogs and thank you so much again.